Gaiter.



v.. BENEDETTI.

GAITER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.15. 1917.

133,652. Patented m 19, 1917.

v 2 SHEETSSHEET I.

INVENTOB A TTOR/IIE Y8 v. B ENEDETTI. I amen. APPLICATION 1 11.20 MAR. 15. 1911. v

- Patented June 19, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR kflenedefia'if A TTORNEYS barren s'rarns are vmcmvzo BENEDETTI, on PALISADE, NEW JERSEY.

GAITEB.

To all'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VINonNzo BENEDETTI, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Palisade, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and Improved Gaiter, of which the following is a full, clear, and eiiact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: to provide a separate gaiter wi'th'means for drawing the edge sections thereof into close contact with the shoe; to provide a gaiter of the character mentioned for supporting the arch of the foot; and to provide a gaiter of the character mentioned equipped in simulation of a permanently attached shoe top.

- is known asa low shoe.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a side view of a shoe and a. gaiter therefor constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the same;

'Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the same;

Fig.4: is a front View of a shoe and a gaiter applied thereto, the gaiter being constructed in accordance with a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a shoe and a gaiter therefor constructed and arranged in accordance with a further modified form of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing in dependently the gaiter shown in Fig. 5.

Description. Y

-As seen in the drawings, the shoe 8 is eonstructed in the usual manner and is what Over this is disposed in service a gaiter 9 constructed in accordanoe with the present invention. The gaiter 9 may be constructed from any suit able material, such as the various kinds of leather used for this purpose, or the various fabrics which "aresometimes employed. In any event, the sides are shaped and stretched in form across thelheel edge 10 and the foxing edge 11, to correspond with the shape of the shoe 8 over which they are drawn. To efiect these purposes, the arch ends 12 of the gaiter 9 are drawn over a last to obtain the required shape and the extremities thereof are permanently connected with a shank strap 13. The shank strap 13 is preferably shaped to correspond with the shank of the shoe so that if the bottom of the shoe is exposed to view, the leather of the strap Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 19, 191 7.

Application filed March 15, 1917. Serial No. 155,003.

13 carries out the illusion desired, to the effect that. the gaiter 9 is a part of the permanent and unlt structure of the shoe.

The gaiter 9 is provided with an entrance opening. As shown in the drawings, the

openin is closed by a tongue 1 in simulation 0 the tongue usually employed with what are known as laced shoes. 15 of the entrance opening are drawntogether by lacing 16. Where other forms of shoe-fastenings are desired, buttons and buttonholes may be used as substitutes for the shoe lacing and covering tongue above described.

It is obvious that when employing a gaiter constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention, the same may be drawn close to the foot to fit the same snugly, employing to this end the lacing 16 or other fastening substitute therefor. In all events, the strain on the material composing the gaiter 9, tends to seat the edges 10 and 11 firmly in their service relation to the shoe 8. 1

Where it is desired to obtain a closer fit of the gaiter 9 about the instep for supporting the shank of theshoe and the arch of the foot, this may be accomplished by the individual wearer drawing "the fasteners closer than usual.

It is obvious that when the gaiters 9 are tobe installed in service relation to the shoe 8, the lacing 16, ifsuch be the form of fastening, is opened until the forward portion of the shoe can be inserted through the gaiter 9 above the shank strap 13there0f. The waiter is drawn back until the opening therein at the rear of the strap 13 may he slipped over the heel of the shoe and adjusted to position upon the stiffening thereof. When the edges 10 and 11 have been properly adjusted the fastening devices are manipulated to draw close to the shoe and foot the gaiter 9 and the edges 10 and 11. I

shown in Fig. {1: of the drawings, the lacing 16 is started above a series of straps 17. The straps 17 are secured in service by buckles 18. A. resilient gannecting strap 19 The edges" in juxtaposed relation while the lower fastener is secured. By this means the need for holding the free edges of the gaiter together with one hand while the fastener is secured with the other, is avoided.

In Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings the modification disclosed consists in providing a low upper 20 shaped in correspondence with the upper of what is known as an Oxford tie. In conjunction with the lacing 16 used for closing said upper 20, is a strap 21, which is secured by the buckle 22. The straps 21 and 17 are preferably formed as integral extensions of the body .of the uppers 9 and 20.

It will be understood that in all forms Whether that designated herein as the preferred form or those designated as modified forms, the fastening device whether it be the strap 17 buttons, or the lacing 16, shall be so shaped as to draw the shank strap 13 and arch ends 12 firmly under the arch of the foot.

Olaf/m.

A gaiter having flexible sides molded to conform to the shoe and foot therein, said gaiter embodying arched ends shaped to conform with-theshoe adjacent the shank thereof; a shank member permanently secured to the terminal edges of said ends in correspondence with the shape of the shoe to which said gaiter is fitted; means for drawing the entrance edges of said gaiter together; and an elastic connection extending between the entrance edges of the gaiter ad acent the lower edge of said gaiter.

VINOENZO BENEDETTI. 

